Spherical triangle calculator



` Aug. 14; 1951 R. J. HUNDHAUSEN 5 3 SPHERICAL TRIANGLE CALCULATOR FiledSept. 2, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 3 In Van/or.

Patented Aug. 14, 1951 SPHERICAL TRIANGLE CALCULATOR Robert J.Hundhausen, Brentwood, Mo.

Application September 2, 1947, Serial No. 771,746

3 claims.v (CI. 33-1) (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as

amended April 30, 1928; 370 O. G. 757) The invention described hereinmay be manu factured and used by or for the Governmentof the UnitedStates for governmental purposes with out the payment to me of anyroya-lty thereon in accordance with the provisions of the act of April30, 1928 (Ch. 460, 45 Stat. L. 467).

My invention relates to spherical triangle calculators and particularlyto one which accurately `visualizes problems and enables an operator toaccurately visualize his problem and, without resorting to mathemati-calcalculations, to solve numerous spherical angle problems, including bothright angle and oblique spherical triangles, as Well as to solvenumerous astronomical, geological; and mining problems. v

In the accompanying` drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my device.

Figure 2 is a plan view.

Figure 3 is an enlarged section, looking outwardly from the center ofthe frame.

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

In these drawings: p

A base II rigidly supports four columns '2, Which in turn rigidly hold aSeparable frame '3 (Figures land 2). The frame '3 is divided on thediametrical plane '3st, the two halves being coupled by four screws 39and two coupling plates l3b. The frame '3 (Figures 3 and l) is providedwith an upper circular groove i l of T-shape sec- 6 tion and a similarlower circular groove 15 also -of T-shape. The frame l is graduatedadjacent to a central aperture and is also provided with an upperinternal groove 'B for a graduated ring l '1. The frame '3 is providedwith a second internal groove :a for a second graduated ring '9. Theserings l" and 9 correspond to those for the upper and lower motions of asurveyor's transit. Upon the ringll (Figure 4) there are rigidly securedtwo supporting bearing blocks 28, each 'having a lateral semi-circulargroove 2' for com- 'panion arcuate lugs 22 of blocks 23 which are*rigidly secured to a semi-Circular plate 24 at op- ,which is rigidlyattached a graduateduuadrant 29 which is terminally pivoted to saidsmaller arcuate seal-e member 25 by a pin 30.

The above described elements of my device which are mounted above aplane midway of the frame '3 are duplicated .below said horizontalplane; the ring '9 supporting companion bearing blocks 3' (Figure 4)which are engaged by companion lugs 32 of blocks 33 to which blocks isrigidly attached a second semi-circular plate 34 having a marginal slot35. The arcuate extent of the blocks 23 and 33 is ninety degrees minusthe thickness of the plates 24 and 34, respectiv-ely. A second arcuatescale member 36 is also graduated for ninety degrees and is frictionallyengaged by the sides of said slot 35 and is rigidly attached to the ring'9. A second graduated quadrant 31 is mounted on a slide correspondingto slide 28 which slide is supported in the downwardly open circularslot '5 and is pivoted to the scale member 36 by a pin 38. Referring toFig ures l and 2, it is apparent that by moving the quadrants 29 and 3"to the same side of the separable ring '3, the opposite side of the ring'3 may be removed by unscrewing two screws 39 and one screw 39a,therebymaking possible the disassembling of my device whenevernecessary.

My device provides a means for mechanically solving problems involvingthree dimensions and may be easily adjusted for an infinite combinationof variables. The answers to problems may be read directly on my device,for example, to obtain data for plotting geologie maps, for use in thefields of mathematics, astronomy, surveying, mining and the like.

Among other problems which may 'be solved with my device are:

1. In mining; determining the pitch and bearing of the line ofintersection of two planes (veins, faults, etc.)

2. The apparent dip of a plane c-ut by a geological section. r

3. The strike and dip of a plane; given the bearings and dip angles oftwo ncn-parallel lines.

4. The solution of any right spherical triangle; knowing any two partsin addition to the right angle.

5. The dihedral engle between any two planes.

6. The solution of oblique spherical triangles knowing three of theprincipal parts.

The solution of a solar problem is simply a particular problem in thesolution of a spherical triangle after the usual corrections are made onaccount of latitude and altitude.

There are suitable graduations on the margins of each of the movableparts as well as on that of ble therein, a second pair of arcuatebearings mounted on said second ring at diametrically opposite points, asecond semi-Circular plate provided with a circumferential slot andfastened to said arcuate bearings with an axis of rotation midwaybetween and parallel with the planes of said internal grooves, a secondslide provided With an interlocking extension mounted in the lower ofsaid circular grooves, a second graduated quadrant rigidly supported bysaid second slide in a plane perpendicular to the plane of said annularframe, a second graduated arcuate scale member rigidly supported by andperpendicular to said rin and passing through said marginal slot in saidsemi-circular plate, and a second pin pivotally Connecting saidgraduated quadrant and said second arcuate scale member whereby saidupper and lower calculating portions which are mounted on a commonannular frame provide a means for solving problems involving sphericaltriangles having* points and lines of intersection lying on any part ofa spherical surface.

ROBERT J. HUNDHAUSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

